A god of happiness sculpture overlooks the lobby, while an antique bronze equestrian brings good fortune to guests, who are a mix of international business travelers, diplomats, celebrities, and leisure travelers. Intricate gilt-wood carvings cover a black-marble wall, oblong crystal chandeliers hover above deep armchairs, and rare antiques include a Qing blackwood altar table and a Han green-glazed vase.

A total renovation of the 1928 main building and completion of a 32-story tower extension in 1994 brought one of the world’s legendary hotels up to date. The lobby, with its soaring columns, gleaming archways, and gilded cornices, has welcomed tycoons, movie stars, and business travelers for 75 years. White-gloved bell staff open the doors to a past era, with a string quartet serenading diners over afternoon tea.

Smartly uniformed door staff welcome guests into the lobby, where China traders, fashion buyers, and financiers mingle with local celebrities. Huge, richly colored murals depict the mythical Himalayan kingdom of Shangri-La, while Venetian chandeliers and Italian Statuario marble floors reflect a European gentility. Classical music in the afternoons and light jazz in the evenings draw a loyal local following for afternoon tea or cocktails.

Pink-uniformed greeters welcome guests at the street-level entrance, which is topped by a sculpture of two Red Guards. These are just a few of the 1,700 Chinese art pieces scattered throughout the hotel. The fourth-floor lobby stays busy with a mall-linking bridge, and a restaurant at the far end. Guests, typically traveling on business, linger at the lobby’s seating areas, or adjourn to the fifth floor’s Internet portal area.